With effect from 1 January 2009, the prohibition on smoking will be extended to:

a. Indoor public places, regardless of whether they are air-conditioned.

These places include:

• Non air-conditioned shopsNon air-conditioned shopping centres (e.g. neighbourhood shopping centres)
• Non air-conditioned factories
• Non air-conditioned offices
• Hotel lobbies
• Markets
• Multi-storey and basement car parks

• Ferry terminals

b. Lift Lobbies.

c. Entrances and exits to indoor area of buildings and facilities where smoking is prohibited. (within 5 metres of the entrances or exits where practicable)

d. Playgrounds and Exercise Areas

Exercise areas include:

• Fitness corners
• Basketball courts
• Badminton courts
• Sepak Takraw courts
• Volleyball courts
• Tennis courts

• Street Soccer courts

Back To Top 

FAQs on Smoking Ban in Non Air-Conditioned Indoor Public Places and Outdoor Public Facilities

Reason for extension

1. What is the rationale for the extension?

The licensee/operator of the entertainment outlet must apply to the relevant Regional Office (RO) of NEA to set up a smoking room and/or corner at his premises. 

Indoor public places, regardless of whether they are air conditioned

These are premises, normally indoor/enclosed, where non-smokers would find it hard to escape from second-hand smoke. This will also reinforce the existing prohibition in other workplaces and public places such as air-conditioned shops, shopping complexes, offices and factory floors.

Lift lobbies

Non-smokers would find it hard to escape from second-hand smoke while waiting at lift lobbies. They are also frequently used by members of the public, including children.

Playgrounds and exercise areas

These are places frequented by children and members of the public for leisure and to keep fit. As such, individuals using these facilities should be protected against second-hand smoke.

Entrances and exits

Smokers tend to congregate near entrances/exits to smoke and their second-hand smoke affects others who are entering or leaving the premises. With the new extension, members of public will be able to use the entrances and exits without being affected by the second-hand smoke.

Back To Top

Enforcement of smoking prohibition

2. What can the public do when they see a smoker flouting the law?

The public can inform the manager of the premises if they see smokers flouting the smoking ban. It is the duty of the manager to respond to the complaint and, if the complaint is found to be true, take the necessary actions as required by law i.e. ask the smoker to stop smoking or leave the premises. The public can also report the incidence to NEA at the NEA Hotline at 1800-2255 632 (1800-CALL- NEA) or email contact_nea@nea.gov.sg.

3. What is the penalty for someone caught smoking in a non-smoking area?

The offender is liable to a maximum court fine of $1,000. However, NEA may allow the offender to have the offence compounded by paying a sum of $200.

4. What are the responsibilities of manager of smoke-free premises in implementing and enforcing the smoking ban?

Managers of smoke-free premises will need to:

i. put in place the required “No Smoking” signage.

ii. inform customers, staff and visitors of the smoking prohibition.

iii. remove ash trays in smoke-free areas.

iv. inform smokers to cease smoking immediately, to smoke in designated smoking areas or to step outside of the premises to smoke.

v. respond into complaints of breaches of the smoking ban within the premises and take the necessary actions as stated in (iii) above if the complaint is found to be substantiated.

5. What if the smokers refuse to stop smoking?

If the smokers refuse to stop smoking, explain that if they continue to smoke, they will be asked to leave the premises. If they refuse to leave, deal with the smokers as you would with difficult or uncooperative customers. You may wish to report the incident to NEA at 1800-2255 632 (1800-CALL-NEA) so that NEA officers may schedule the premises for inspection to help ensure compliance.

In all cases where law and order situations arise from a smoker becoming abusive or violent, we suggest you seek assistance from the Police.

6. How will NEA enforce the ban?

NEA will adopt the same enforcement approach as what is practised for places that are currently prohibited. That is, the responsibility of enforcing the smoking prohibition will lie with the respective premises owners.

However, in places which are accessible by members of the public and there is no continuous presence of a single management body (e.g. public children’s playground or exercise areas), NEA will carry out enforcement.

Smoking prohibition at indoor places

7. How would I know whether a premises is covered under the smoking ban?

With the extension, smoking will be prohibited in virtually all indoor places. Smokers will no longer be able to smoke indoor. They can only smoke outdoors, or at designated smoking points. If they are unsure, smokers are advised to check with the building manager on whether the premises is covered under the smoking ban.

Smoking prohibition at lift lobbies

8. What types of lift lobbies are covered?

The extension covers all lift lobbies, including non air-conditioned ones. They include lift lobbies in public and private housing estates, shopping centres, office buildings, etc.

9. How would I know where is the smoke-free area at lift lobbies?

Most lift lobbies in public housing estates are tiled differently. Where the boundary of the lift lobby is unclear, smokers are advised to keep at least 5 metres away from the lift.

Smoking prohibition at entrances and exits of buildings and facilities where smoking is prohibited

10. What types of entrances and exits are covered under the extension?

The extension covers all entrances and exits of buildings and facilities where smoking is prohibited, including the main, side and rear entrances and exits.

11. How would the smoke-free zone near entrances and exits be demarcated?

The manager of the premises may use the following methods to inform members of public on the smoke-free zone near entrances and exits:

a. Put up standees at edge of the smoke-free zone;

b. Display signs at the entrances and exits; and/or

c. Demarcate by other means such as marking on floor or other visible partition.

12. Is it the duty of the manager of premises to enforce the smoking prohibition at entrances and exits?

Yes, it is the duty of the manager of smoke-free premises to enforce the smoking prohibition at entrances and exits. The manager has to put up the relevant signs and inform their customers, staff and visitors not to smoke at the these areas.

Designated outdoor smoking point

13. With the new extension, where can smokers smoke?

Smokers will no longer be able to smoke indoors. Please direct them to smoke outdoors, or to a designated outdoor smoking point, if available.

14. Are there guidelines on where the designated outdoor smoking point is to be located?

The designated outdoor smoking point has to be placed outside the smoke-free zone and with permission from the relevant landowner. In addition, it should preferably be located away from public thoroughfare so that exposure of passersby to second-hand cigarette smoke is minimised.

15. Do I need to apply for a licence from NEA to set up a designated outdoor smoking point?

No, a licence is not required from NEA to set up a designated outdoor smoking point. However, the designated outdoor smoking point has to be placed outside the smoke-free zone and with permission from the relevant landowner.

16. Am I obliged to provide an outdoor smoking point for my staff or customers?

No, but you may wish to discuss with members of your staff who smoke, on where they could smoke so as to comply with the law.

Designated outdoor smoking corners in foodshops and entertainment outlets

17. Are the existing smoking corners at the outdoor refreshment areas of foodshops and entertainment outlets allowed to continue to be used?

This latest extension does not affect existing outdoor smoking corners at foodshops and entertainment outlets.

Back To Top